Does anyone have any information? Also are they good for protection on long term basis, are they easy to take off if required. Do they reduce the Lamp Intensity or cause blurring. I have a 06 Tl. Please Advise

 

I just bought the Rockblocker smoked film for my 05 TL last week. I did not like the way it took away from the light output and ended up wasting $45.00 and pulled it up 3 days later. I would consider blacking and clearing out you headlamps.

 

I used the Xpel (3M) clear film on my 2G TL. It did not diminish the output of the lights at all. It does come off, but once it's on, why would you take it off? It was still on when I traded the 2G for my 3G TL almost 2 1/2 years ago, new owner got a bonus.

 

weathertech lampguard

highly recommended.
clear (since aug 2004). no light loss. why would u want to remove it?

the clear lisc plate covers are also very nice.

i think these guys manufacture the winter mats for Acura?

 

I have used xpel (3M) on all my cars since '99 with good results. It has saved me numerous fog lamp lense replacements and most likely a few headlight lense replacements as well. It's easy to apply and I've had no incidents of "burn" marks on the film even when running 100watt overwatt halogen bulbs in the driving lamps they covered. One tip - if you contact xpel you can buy sheets of the material from them as opposed to on a "per application" precut basis from a vendor. It is MUCH cheaper, however, their minimum quality to sell will do several lamps but if you can get a "group buy" together it works out well . Best of luck protecting those lamps!

 

I have the clear roadblock film applied to the headlamps and so far I love them. People can't see them even if I point them out. They actually had to touch them to know they're there.

No effect on light output.

I also had the stongard lite (lamp protection) for last car. The film was on the lamp for 4+ years and had no yellowing whatsoever

 

There are couple different CLEAR films you can put on your headlights, two being the most common: PVC and urethane.

Most companies use PVC, basically plastic (Xpel being one of them), it comes thick 20-80 mil. This film does not hold up to the heat of headlights/foglights well. I had used that film for installations before and had a fair share of problems. I even had to replace foglight (yes, the entire light) on customer's MDX because the film melted into the lense itself. I would not really recommend it or if you go that route, watch your lights for bubbling. It is removeble without damaging the light if you do it in time.

The other film used is URETHANE. It is the same type of film that is installed on the paint. That film has the thicknes of 8-14 mil. I would recommend the 14 mil for lights. It is the thickest the urethane comes in, and even though it is thiner then PVC it has the similar energy absorbent properties then the thicker PVC. The big advantage of this film for headlight protection is that it holds up to heat better, therefore, less possibilities for problem. As a matter of fact, I have not had any yet. It is also removeble.

The URETHANE is the ONLY film made by 3M for headlight protection. It comes on a liner with RED letters. The PVC is not made by 3M, it only comes on a 3M liner (green 3M letters). Most people think, though, that if it says 3M on the liner, it is a 3M product. Not the case.

And the protection is a great idea to preserve the lights from chips.

Hope that help.

 

Stongard lite on my last car was this really thick (3-5mm) clear pliable plastic sheet. any idea what that was?

It's not a film at all...

 

That would be 80 mil PVC. While it is super thick it doest not comply and corform to a lot of the lights that are on the market these days

 

I will agree, it is PVC. As long as you watch it every so often to make sure it does not start bubbling, you should be fine.

try putting it on an 05+ MDX lights it will not work at all. TL lights are flat though.

Later, Mark.

 

Kenny,

I thought you aknowledged that Silver is not FASTER. And you are back playing the game with me.

Mark.

 

damn! I just changed it back!!

 

Mark,

I am going to have to disgaree with you here. In the seven years of installing with the PVC film I have never seen it bubble.

In regards to the installation of MDX light is a cake walk with the film that we use. Actually easier than the 14 mil urethane film that you are using. Be more than glad to send you some for you try.

It will even do the 04-05 STi headlight which is a lot harder than the MDX. Let me know.

 

I never had problems with headlights, just fogs.

You are confusing me, first you say that the PVC does NOT conform to a lot of headlights on today's market and now you say it is "a cake walk." I guess you are using some "special" PVC or other film, right?

Regards, Mark.

 

I was talking about the 80 mil on these newer lights. We dont use that thickness

 

I had those on my 98 audi a4 for a good 3+ years without any issue. They looked a little worn up close but at a distance they looked brand new.

that's why I am a little concerned when the new light protection is the same thickness as the paint protection... I did not know they were made of different material.

 

The adhesive is made from 3M. The PVC light protection has been just as long and will stand up to daily abuse. Waxing the protection is a good thing for longevity and shine.

Dont worry about using one or the other. They both do a good job. You just need to decide how thick you want thats all.

Paint Protection standard thickness that is on the cars is 8 mil well techinically 5 mil in most cases since the manufacturer does not count the adhesive as a thickness. What Mark is saying is that he uses the 14 mil paint protection for the headlight protection, right Mark?

The 80 mil is super thick, but does not have to be that thick to get the same protection. We use 20 mil ourselves without any problem of breakage. A boulder will break anything, a normal rock on the road will not break something so easily, but will pit the lense if not protected.

 

Right

True

True again. Had some problems with one, cannot say it may not happen with the other, though. Never say never.

Very true.

 

Unless you use your fogs all the time, daily driving, long trips (all the time), I am sure you will not have problems.

Sit back, relax, and fool yourself that Silver is faster (because it is not).

 

just a little faster than anthracite.

 

not with LED blinkers

 

Consider the cost for a HID unit to the cost of headlght protection - pretty much a no brainer. I've had it on my 04 for just under 2 years and was included in the PPF package. No degradation in lamp intensity or ouput for the clear product, can't say for the smoked or colored pieces.

BTW, any advice from Chad and Mark is kosher, they know what they're talkin' about. If you have questions about PPF & HPF, I'm sure they'll be more than happy to answer them.......